Benicia man arrested in slaying of man in Rodeo early Sunday

MARTINEZ -- A Benicia man was arrested Sunday morning on suspicion of murder in connection with the killing of a man in Rodeo several hours earlier, police said.

The name and city of residence of the 28-year-old victim were not released by the Contra Costa County Sheriff's office, which is investigating the slaying.

At 3:05 a.m. Sunday, sheriff's deputies were called to Doctors Medical Center in San Pablo to investigate after the man arrived at the emergency room with gunshot wounds, police said.

The man was later transferred to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek, where he was pronounced dead at 9:20 a.m.

During the investigation, deputies made contact with Beal Xavier Hickman, 28, of Benicia, who was later arrested and booked into the Martinez Jail on numerous charges, including homicide. He is being held in lieu of $1.3 million bail.

Police did not say what led them to Hickman, but it was later determined the shooting occurred on Tullibee Court in Rodeo. Detectives are trying to establish a motive.

Anyone with any information about the shooting should call the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff's investigation unit at 925-313-2600. Tips can be emailed to tips@so.cccounty.us or anonymously called in to 866-846-3592.